Making dreams happen

From dreamers to achievers – we meet Senior Client Service Specialist, Leah Steele and find out how BT is helping Strategy First make financial dreams come true.

Leah Steele, Senior Client Service Specialist (2:24 mins)

Can you tell us about Strategy First and its mission?

At Strategy First, we’re a practice of 18, and we’ve been around for a while. We look after 350 ongoing fee agreement clients and over $760 million in funds under management. We’re pretty proud of our achievements. 


What makes your client service specialists unique at Strategy First?

Our client service specialists are actually called ‘dreamers’. We’re called dreamers because we make dreams happen once all the advice is worked out, and all the numbers are crunched. We’re the ones on the front line with the paraplanners, in the trenches, implementing everything. Our mission at Strategy First is in our motto: dream, plan, achieve. The dreamers, AKA the client service specialists, are the ones that make it happen.
 

Why is financial advice so important for your clients?

Financial advice is important because finance can be fraught with complexities and uncertainties. There are many ways people can handle their money, but they often face fear and a lack of knowledge. We engage lawyers to help us with legal problems, we see doctors when we have health issues. Similarly, it makes sense to consult a financial specialist to navigate life’s milestones smoothly, making transitions like starting a family, dealing with parental leave, downsizing or planning for retirement less stressful. 
 

How did your relationship with BT Panorama come about, and what sets it apart?

At the time we jumped on board, we saw BT Panorama as just a new shiny toy, but we quickly realised its potential. The BT Panorama team was determined to create a tailored solution for us, showing a commitment to our unique needs. To be frank, the functionality of the platform isn’t why we’re with BT Panorama. It’s the people. It’s the engine behind it. It’s how you’re supported and the value add-ons and ease of access.

How would you describe your relationship with BT?

Transparency is the perfect word for the relationship that we’ve had all these years. Everyone is authentic, just like us, trying to do the best job they can. You’re an extension of us. So technically, we’re a team.

Having a dedicated team and clear points of contact has been a big plus for us. And I think why the relationship has grown so well is because they listen, and they want to help.

“Transparency is the perfect word for the relationship that we’ve had all these years. Everyone is authentic, just like us, trying to do the best job they can.”

What advantages does BT Panorama offer your practice and your clients?

It’s great when dealing with accountants. We love the feeds, and the accountant access is really a massive advantage. With BT Panorama handling investments seamlessly, we can focus on more meaningful conversations about our clients’ life goals. 
 

Can you describe the impact of BT Panorama on your efficiency?

This has been a significant technology overhaul, reducing repetition in our tech stack and freeing up time to improve our client’s lives. Our advisers spend more time meeting new clients and nurturing existing relationships while automated processes handle routine tasks. Now that our systems are working so well, we have a big project for growth.
 

What does growth look like for Strategy First?

We can now focus a lot on recruitment and career development. There’s what we lovingly refer to as the ‘new guard’, with a strong focus on recruitment and career development to maintain our high standards. We believe in nurturing ‘career dreamers’, individuals who excel in client service by making clients feel comfortable and secure. Making people feel at ease and adequately explaining the process is key. It’s an art form, and we strive to keep refining our system to reach more people. 

What are your plans for the future?

We like what we do, and we want to make people’s lives better. And we partner with providers that help us do that. With BT Panorama by our side, we are poised for a bright future, built on a foundation of trust, innovation and a shared commitment to making financial dreams come true. 
 

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Information current as at August 2024.  

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